Import Prohibitions and Requirements for Commercial Importers of Aquatic Species and for Travellers Under the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations

The following Departmental Memorandum has been updated on the Canada Border Services Agency website

D19-8-5, Import Prohibitions and Requirements for Commercial Importers of Aquatic Species and for Travellers Under the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations

This memorandum provides guidelines concerning importation of aquatic species, relating directly to the supportive role of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at the border with respect to the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations, made under the Fisheries Act. To the extent that these requirements overlap with those of the Health of Animals Regulations, made under the Health of Animals Act, the procedures below explain the requirements under both Regulations.

1. This memorandum advises importers, travellers, customs brokers and service providers of the import prohibitions and requirements under the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations, (SOR/2015-121),which have been in effect since May 29, 2015.

2. The import prohibitions in the Regulations are intended to prevent the introduction into Canada of listed aquatic invasive species.